Online form makes pest reporting easier
People can still use the regional council's 0800 number (0800 474 082) to report pests, but the new form has an emphasis on promoting citizen science. The benefits of using the form directly include information being passed on in a timelier manner, more accurate pest descriptions and location data and less double handling of information by regional council staff.
People can upload photos and provide the exact location of the sighting.
The form is available at orc.govt.nz/reportpests — APL
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Otago Daily Times
23-07-2025
- Otago Daily Times
Online form makes pest reporting easier
A new online "report pests" form has been created by the Otago Regional Council as a quick way to alert its biosecurity team. People can still use the regional council's 0800 number (0800 474 082) to report pests, but the new form has an emphasis on promoting citizen science. The benefits of using the form directly include information being passed on in a timelier manner, more accurate pest descriptions and location data and less double handling of information by regional council staff. People can upload photos and provide the exact location of the sighting. The form is available at — APL
Otago Daily Times
16-07-2025
- Otago Daily Times
Marine pest found in harbour
Pest species Mediterranean fanworm has been spotted in Bluff Harbour. PHOTO: SUPPLIED Environment Southland is investigating the discovery of a possible single Mediterranean fanworm () in Bluff Harbour during routine surveillance earlier this month. The worm, which was 59cm long, was found under the town wharf at a depth of 5m. The specimen was collected and sent for formal identification. Environment Southland integrated catchment management acting general manager David Adamson said while no further specimens were detected during follow-up dives, the wharf's extensive structure meant further surveillance was required to determine the extent of the spread. "We're unclear if the marine pest is more widespread in Bluff waters, so we're planning further surveys to confirm its spread as a part of response planning." Divers experienced in identifying Mediterranean fanworm will be brought in from outside the region. Environment Southland is receiving support from Biosecurity New Zealand. The Mediterranean fanworm is a segmented marine worm that forms dense colonies, displacing native species and threatening fisheries. It attaches to solid structures such as wharf pilings and aquaculture equipment, potentially increasing harvesting and fuel costs. It competes with mussels and oysters for food, affecting their growth and viability. The worm has a long, leathery tube that is pale brown with a muddy appearance and extends a spiral fan of yellow-orange filaments to collect food such as plankton. Environment Southland was asking the public and marine industry to keep an eye out and report any suspected sightings. — APL
Otago Daily Times
03-07-2025
- Otago Daily Times
Survey set to shed light on wedge
Coastal residents may spot a regular visitor to Clutha waters this month. The Otago Regional Council is set to conduct a bathymetric coastal survey in Molyneux Bay using the University of Otago's RV Tūhura. The vessel will observe seafloor elevations of a 6500-year-old sand wedge, made up of sediment from the Clutha Mata-Au River. Council natural hazards analyst Julion Wright said the survey would determine the latest dimensions of the coastal Clutha sand wedge deposit, which spilled river sediment into the Southern Ocean. Mr Wright said the sand wedge deposits were an important part of the South Otago sediment system, containing a large volume of sediment that might possibly contribute to the stability of the coast. "The modern sediment of the wedge is formed by deposits of material from the Clutha River over the last 6500 years. "This survey will be compared to a similar ORC survey, from 2013, to map any changes in the sand wedge deposit. "The results of this will have future implications for coastal and river management in South Otago." One such implication could be a better understanding of sediment accumulation and movement, as well as river mouth and coastal erosion effects, he said. Molyneux Bay lies to the south of Balclutha and encompasses the mouth of the Clutha Mata-Au River, down to the Nugget Point lighthouse, south of Kākā Point township. The offshore survey would be conducted by Geomatics NZ and use a single-beam echo sounder mounted on the research vessel. The Tuhura, a 6.5 m aluminium powerboat for up to six people, can support restricted oceanographic work, limited bottom sampling, trawling and diving, as well as operate around coastal Otago and inland South Island waterways. The vessel would not be streaming any devices astern, Mr Wright said. Over a week, it was expected to travel about 180km within the bay. The survey was scheduled to run this month, but the timing was otherwise weather-dependent. He said the shallower part of the sand wedge was influenced by discharges from the Clutha as well as coastal processes. The offshore surveying would also be extended onshore, using land-surveying techniques to cover the coastal shape and structure. The gap between the onshore and offshore surveys had already been covered by an earlier, 2025 airborne bathymetric LiDAR survey (Light Detection and Ranging), he said. Once the survey was complete, it would take up to three weeks to process data to form 2D imagery, which would then be analysed to interpret what changes may, or may not, have occurred since the previous survey in 2013. The results will then be made publicly available.
